6 month and 18 month check ups = SUCCESS!!

Friday morning's doctor visit was quite the experience on a number of levels. I learned a lot that I feel is worth sharing.

1. I have two extremely healthy children and thank the Lord for that everyday. Its not something I ever take for granted.

2. I was either out of my mind or over confident when I decided to schedule their 6 mo and 18 mo checkups at the same appointment. My need for efficiency overshadowed my ability to care for two little ones in a small room at the same time. Reminder to self, two trips with one kid at a time is always a better idea.

3. Finding the right doctor makes all the difference. NWA Peds is fantastic but due to the number of kids in the clinic you typically just rotate through the doctors. I have loved them all but recently met Dr. Stacey Furlow and I am thrilled. She's now seen both my kids and I got full permission to specifically request my kids see her for all their appts (unless of course its an emergency and she's out). I always heard having a pediatrician who you trust and knows your kids is so great, it just took us a little bit to find that one. Now that we have we are not looking back!!

4. Eva is going through a growth spurt. She weighed in at 24.6 pounds which is right on and puts her in the 50th percentile on weight. Now the big news. At a whopping 32.5 inches she measured in the 75th percentile in height. My jaw dropped. This is the kid who came in either in the 10th or 25th every time and was deemed my shorty. Who knew! My favorite though was when she asked if Eva was saying at least 4-10 words clearly. I had to laugh out loud. I am not keeping count but would be shocked if it wasnt more like 40!! Shes totally my child in that regard. Atta girl. Then, she got 4 shots which she was NOT happy about but was so brave. The best part was that was her last round until she goes to kindergarten!! Phew!

5. Now there's Kellan. My shinning star, developing perfectly! However, now we have a new "shrimp" of the family. Weighing in at 17.1 pounds he's in the 25th percentile for weight and yes, at 25.3 inches he's in the 10th for height. What he doesnt have in size though he makes up for in personality. He's super strong, pulling up on his own, laughing, grabbing at things, jumping in his bouncy, eating baby foods but already eyeing grown up foods, and switched to only 4 bottles a day. Eva would never drink more than 6 oz at a time but Kellan will down an 8 oz bottle like its nothing. Dr. Furlow said let him progress as he wants. Being the second kid he has an example of what he's supposed to be doing so not to be surprised he wants to do things sooner than she did. So he's in the tub with his sister sitting up and splashing around, loving his highchair and still madly in love with his teachers at school. His smile lights up my day and his cheeks are the most kissable in the whole world.

6. Even for all the headaches they give me, the uncountable number of diapers I change and my intense desire to get my pre-baby body back, I couldnt imagine my life without these two. I was scared to death about what life with two a year apart would be and now cant imagine it any other way.

Eva wasnt much for the camera at this visit mainly because she was too busy taking the trash bags in and out of the cans while we waited on the doc. Hey, whatever kept her happy!!

Little man was also easy to entertain... I brought 3 books and 3 toys and all he wanted was the tongue depressor.

I just love this little face. Like "what? I'm just chillin'" - and that he does. He's so easy-going and all the time happy. 

How I got so lucky to have two such great kids is beyond me but I'll take it!? They are just perfect!!

Growing Up Too Fast!!

Eva is definitely keeping us entertained this week but a new kid is on the block that is quickly catching up to her. Mister Kellan is in full force: "talking", laughing, sitting up, trying to stand up, teething (but no, no teeth yet) and winning major points with Mommy for how much he loves to snuggle. I didnt think any kid would be more snugly than Eva but Kellan more than makes up for how you cant keep her still anymore. These pictures are from our special time last weekend. Jon and Eva were still asleep and we just hung out in bed and watched cartoons. These moments are so fleeting that I am doing all I can to hold onto them as tightly as I can. At this point with Eva I knew I had Kellan on the way. Now I know that my "baby days" are soon over and my days will be full of sassy toddlers. Needless to say, there are lots of good to that but certain mornings I'd love to keep my little man a baby as long as I can.

  

Sunny with a chance of more sun and fun! Memorial Day: May 31, 2010

One of the best parts of my new job are the friends I have made. One in particular has an awesome house on Beaver Lake in Rogers and had us and a couple other couples over for some great BBQ and fun on her boat. We enjoyed the time with our new friends and seeing how much the kids enjoyed the day.

First ride was everyone so we suited up and headed out. They looked so cute in their life jackets but the best part (that I unfortunately don't have pictures of but Ginger is supposed to send me) is that within five minutes of the boat ride, both kids were out. I mean gone. Eva was holding onto Jon smiling and saying "Whoa" when in mid sentence she's asleep on his lap. Kellan was with me and I guess with the motion, wind and sun, he slept the whole hour!!

We had all kind of fruits and veggie on board for snacks but all Eva wanted was Watermelon. I swear she must have eaten half the melon by the time we left!!

We actually had one of the neighbor girls watch Kellan for a couple hours so we could go back out and he could eat and have his nap so we got some good Eva time. She and I had fun lounging in the water and catching some sun. As usual I did great about sunscreen for the kids... Jon and I not so much! For me though, red was better than white!! Eva learned how to kick in the water and had fun splashing around. I cant wait to get her into swim lessons and to a pool soon so she can really start to enjoy the water more this season.

While there were times Jon and I both said we were sad we weren't in Little Rock as usual we certainly enjoyed the fun family weekend. Great weather, lots of activities and time with friends = a great start to the summer. Thanks Ginger for being a great hostess and cant wait for more fun times together!!

My little Mini Me

If I could find the picture I would scan and add but you'll have to trust me... this is EXACTLY how I slept as a kid. So, of course when I went in to check on Eva (as I always do before I got back to bed) I had to run and grab my camera to catch this. I love how as she gets older we are seeing traits of Jon and traits of me, but of course it warms my heart when I see the good things of me come through. 

Happy Birthday, Maye Robinson

Its tough to tell from these pictures but we were actually at Gulley Park celebrating our dear friend Maye Robinson's second birthday! She received this bubble maker as a gift and of course our sweet Eva felt like that means its hers too. But she had a blast and so Maye graciously shared the toy. Thanks for such a fun time with friends at the park on a gorgeous sunny day!

While Mom is away... my kids did play

I am loving my new job with Nestle but its had me traveling quite a bit. This last trip had me in Chicago for two nights and Oakland, CA for three. What a long but fun week!! Thankfully the teachers at the kids school know how much pictures of the kids brighten my day.

Below is a nice collection of what I received while I was gone. 

Even Jon knew what would make me even more ready to be home. Who wouldnt want to hurry home to these little faces. 

I love traveling and getting to get to new cities but there's nothing like coming home to the ones who love you the most.

How to Start Your Day Off Right

I dont know how but for some reason my kids are bright eyed and bushy tailed right when they wake up. Eva takes a bit to wake up but then is ready to go where as Kellan wakes up smiling and ready to go immediately... oh and usually at 6 am. (Eva will sleep until 7:30 and sometimes 8/8:30 if I let her).

This past weekend was definitely a chill weekend. Between two kids with ear infections, major thunderstorms and two tired parents, we stayed in quite a bit. Both Saturday and Sunday mornings stuck inside gave the kids ample time to entertain their parents.

Let me just preface these next pictures with how my kids take my breath away sometimes. Not because they are doing anything any normal kid wouldnt do but just seeing them love each other and play together. So while "what" they are doing probably isnt very special, the fact they're doing it together is the most special to me.

Saturday was all about books, yes, TV and some dancing in our pjs. This new ottoman we got to act as a safer and much more comfy coffee table is apparently doubling as a couch for my kids. 

What you dont see in these next pictures is what I walked in on. Where's my flip when I need it? I sat Kellan in Eva's crib while I went to grab Eva some milk. I went back to see Eva having a one way pillow fight with her brother and Kellan cracking up to the point of giggle everytime she whacked him. No worries, its a small very soft pillow and clearly no one was hurt. The moment I was "found out" they stopped but still managed to ham it up for the camera!

I had to add a picture of my little man all grown up. We've moved Eva into more of a booster seat that sits up at the table since Kellan now loves his highchair. Here he anxiously awaits his beloved oatmeal! Are you kidding me? How does he keep getting cuter. 

What an awesome Sunday! Great family time (including a spontaneous date night), great snuggle time, all caught up on this blog and packing for a week of traveling. I love getting to travel with this new job but with it comes a tinge of sadness. I know this kids will have a great week with Dad and our amazing babysitter Elisha but its still not me, at least thats what I hope they think. Reading back through the posts makes me excite to keep it up again. Thanks for your patience in the million posts and hope it brings you all the joy writing about my kiddos bring me.